If you like motorcycles as much as we do, you will love Motorcycle Heaven!

Nothing adds to the pleasure of riding your bike like awesome music, but getting good sound on a motorcycle can be difficult. Depending on your style of bike, space for stereo components is almost always extremely limited. There are several ways to go to get the best sound into your available space.

If you have a fairing, then you have the best chance to install audio gear something similar to what goes into most cars. Many fairings will come with a cutout already there for a head unit and speakers. It’s important to check those measurements before you buy, however because there really aren’t any standard sizes, especially when it comes to speakers.

Your first inclination might be to buy car audio gear for your bike, but consider that the equipment might be exposed to rain and splashing that wouldn’t happen inside of a car. Your might be better off to look at marine stereos and speakers like those offered on this website. Waterproofing varies, so you will want to pay attention to the specs.

If you don’t have a fairing, there are a number of good handlebar mount type systems available. These usually make use of waterproof bullet speakers. Check out rocktheboatmarinestereo.com for more info on waterproof marine speakers. These bullet speakers are small, but they can put out a surprising amount of volume. Don’t expect huge bass response, though as there just isn’t enough resonance in the tiny cabinets to produce much thump.

A small amp that can play music from your iPod or smart phone is a good option. Many of these will clamp to your handlebars as well.

When riding your motorcycle in winter and bad weather, your first priority is to avoid hypothermia. Your body is in a state of hypothermia when your body temperature drops to a point that your vital organs are threatened. The body will pull heat from your extremities like feet and hands in order to suport those organs.

The initial symptom of hypothermia is shivering. As it worsens your body will not be able to function as it should, you won’t be able to think clearly and your motor skills will be affected. On a bike, these are obviously not good and it can have a high impact on your safety.

The best thing you can do if you start shivering is stop and get off the motorcycle. Get into any nearby shelter, whether that is a store, a restaurant, or a gas station. Just hang out until you warm up sufficiently. A hot beverage can help a lot as well. If there is no shelter nearby, you can still stop and get off the bike. Try doing some simple aerobic exercise to generate some internal heat in your body.

Avoid alcoholic drinks. It might seem like alcohol will warm you up, but it is only temporary and it will soon actually cool you down more than before, plus your judgement and motor skills will be dulled, making a ride even more dangerous.

The best thing to do is plan ahead and make sure you are sufficiently clothed to handle the weather. A full faced helmet can do a lot to keep your head warm. Most of our body heat escapes through our heads so this can go a long way to warming the rest of your body parts as well. You might try a neoprene face mask to take away the wind chill as well.

Obviously you will want to wear a heavy coat, but a scarf and/or a bandana can help a lot as well. Layering your clothes will multiply the insulation. Fleece is an excellent material for internal layers.

Lastly, if you plan on biking a lot in the winter, you might consider clothing that is electrically heated. This type of clothing plugs into your bike’s electrical system.

Riding a motorcycle is first and foremost, fun! But there are important factors to keep in mind when becoming a motorcyclist. Life is full of risk and everything we do has risk factors involved. Riding a motorcycle is no exception. Obviously biking can be dangerous and it certainly carries it’s share of risk, but there is much that can be done to reduce that risk even if it cannot be eliminated. Here are some important safety tips that can help you.

First and foremost, always wear your helmet. Not just any helmet will do. Your helmet should be approved by the Department of Transportation or DOT. You might think all helmets would be DOT approved, but that is not the case. Check for the DOT sticker on any helmet you buy. It could save your live.

It’s also important to cover up other parts of your body. Long sleeves are a must. If you will be riding faster than 25 miles per hour, then a long sleeve jacket is recommended. Leather is best as it can help save you from a nasty case of road rash should an accident occur. Leather gloves can also go a long way to protecting your hands in case of an accident. Gloves designed specifically for riding are best. Long pants made of sturdy material like denim or leather will protect your legs. You can also purchase leather chaps for additional protection. Lastly, don’t for get the boots. Over the ankle type boots are best.

Don’t be one of those foolish people you see screaming down the highway with nothing but a short sleeve t-shirt, shorts and flip flops on. That person is just asking for trouble!

Improving your visibility can also reduce your risk of accident. Bright colored equipment will help a lot. Most helmets and clothing can be purchased in neon type colors that really grab attention.

It is also a good idea to stay out of driver blind spots. If you are behind another vehicle and you can’t see a driver’s face in his mirrors then there is no way he can see you.

When shopping for a motorcycle, you really should consider the risks and costs associated with buying new. Of course, everyone loves that new bike smell and they love to see the chrome shine, but as soon as you take it out of the dealership you have taken a big hit in cash.

Another big reason people buy new is because they are looking for reliability. The reality is that a bike that is slightly used can offer the same reliability at a greatly reduced price. The best deal isn’t always the obvious one.

Consider that the the original owner of a motorcycle may have only used it a few times, but that ownership created a large gap of depreciation. You can often take advantage of this to buy a gently used bike for a lot less that the sticker price, but it still has factory warranty left, looks new and, of course, it absolutely is a new motorcyle for you!

If you really are looking for the best price then you should look for one that is free! Free sounds good, right? Too good to be true? Maybe, but free motorcycles are exchanged every day. Some people just don’t want the hassle of fixing their bike and they are willing to part with it for the simple benefit of you hauling it away. Of course, you need to be willing to either do some repair work yourself, or have someone else do it.

If that doesn’t fit your profile then it is a good idea to start on a web site such as Kelly Blue Book or Nada. They can tell you what a good price is for a particular motorcycle in your area. It is important to understand that pricing depends on the market and a bike may be worth more in one area of the country than in another.